Denver Destination Guide

Overview

Denver is magnificent, though geographically isolated, sitting on a plateau exactly one mile above sea level and over 600 miles from the next closest major city. Concealed from the west by bold foothills and towering 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks, and protected to the east by an expansive and high desert terrain, it is known for world-class skiing and biking, serene hiking and intense rock climbing.

Visitors converge from far and wide to sample the famous microbrews, stand in the presence of spectacular peaks, or to work in the booming computer and telecommunications economy. The result is a blend of culturally diverse neighborhoods, each lending an air of character and charm to the others.

Founded in 1859 as a gold mining camp, Denver is one of America's youngest cities, and one of the most exciting. This forward-looking metropolis has a population of 2.4 million. It is also the entertainment, shopping, cultural, sports and recreation capital of the Rocky Mountain West.

Denver is noted for its dozens of tree-lined boulevards, 200 city parks that cover more than 20,000 acres, and outstanding architecture ranging from Victorian to contemporary.

Downtown Denver presents a refreshing change from most large cities, in part because it doesn't feel big. Though it has many high-rise office towers, it also has century-old churches, grand hotels and stylishly modern museums. A good place to start is at the gold-domed state capitol, the most prominent structure downtown. From the capitol, which anchors Civic Center Park between the arts district to the south and the shopping and historic areas to the northwest, most of the downtown sights are within walking distance.

The view from Denver's State Capitol building showcases the Rocky Mountains that rise to the city's west. Informal free tours allow visitors to climb to the top of the capitol and take in the view, both of the bustling Denver downtown and the incredible landscape surrounding the city.

Some of the city's loveliest and most noteworthy old buildings can be found in the 16th Street area. The Brown Palace Hotel is a Gilded Age landmark and a point of special pride for Denverites. To the northwest is LoDo, (Denver's Lower Downtown District, where early 1900s brick warehouses have been renovated into classy jazz clubs, bookstores, restaurants and art galleries), The historic district ends at Union Station, Denver's Beaux Arts train station.

The focal points of the arts district are as modern as LoDo is old: the Denver Public Library (designed by architect Michael Graves with multicolored stone turrets and geometric shapes) and the Denver Art Museum (a striking contemporary fortress with an exceptional collection of Native American art).

Beyond downtown, there is an oasis of parks and recreation areas. City Park is home to the Denver Zoo and the acclaimed Museum of Nature and Science, with a planetarium and an IMAX theater. Colorado's Ocean Journey aquarium is an important part of a collection of attractions that is anchored by the popular Six Flags Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. With three large roller coasters, a bungee-jumping simulation, an extensive water park and a cartoon-themed kiddie arena, Elitch remains popular with locals as well as visitors. Live entertainment and dozens of other popular rides round out the experience.

Skiing enthusiasts rejoice in Denver's proximity to mountain ski resorts. Within an hour of the city are half a dozen ski areas, including Winter Park, Breckenridge, Keystone and Loveland. For those interested in warm-weather activities, day trips can be arranged for fly-fishing, horseback riding, ballooning, mountain biking, river rafting or even bungee jumping.

Denver's local music scene is lively, with bands playing almost every night of the week. Lower Downtown, between Wynkoop and Larimer streets and from 14th to 20th streets, is filled with bars, taverns and pubs ranging from retro martini lounges to hip dance clubs and smoky blues bars. Expect to see and hear up-and-coming rock, jazz, blues, country, folk and bluegrass artists.

Sports fans will need no introduction to The Colorado Rockies, The Denver Broncos, The Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets. The Colorado Rapids and The Colorado Crush round out the fabulous teams competing year round on the Denver sports scene. The Nuggets, the Avalanche and the Crush play at the Pepsi Center, the Rockies at Coors Field, and the Broncos and the Rapids at Invesco Field at Mile High.

This is Denver: a fabulous city to visit and to experience in its many facets. Whether you are looking for total relaxation, intense sporting challenges, or something in between, Denver is a place to find fulfillment and renewed energy for a visit or for a lifetime.

Attractions

Black American West Museum 3091 California Ave (303) 292-2566 The Black American West Museum tells the forgotten story of African American cowboys, who made up as many as one third of all the cowboys on the great cattle drives. Housed in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Denver's first African American doctor, the museum has exhibits, historic photos and artifacts that tell the story of the many contributions made by African Americans in settling the West.Buffalo Bill's Grave & Museum 987 Half Lookout Mountain Rd (303) 526-0747 This museum is filled with memorabilia honoring the famous frontier scout, showman and Pony Express rider, William F. Cody. Exhibitions include gun collections and posters from the Wild West Show. A beautiful view of the mountains and the plains is visible from his gravesite.Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center 6252 W 104th Ave (303) 469-5441 Featuring a lush tropical forest filled with up to 1,600 free-flying butterflies, this is an adventure you won't want to miss. There is also an insect center, gift shop, outdoor gardens and many fun, educational exhibits.The Children's Museum of Denver 2121 Childrens Museum Dr (303) 433-7444 The Children's Museum of Denver is a unique participatory museum for children and families. This museum features interactive exhibits and activities. Children can learn to ski on KidSlope, shoot baskets, compare measurements in SizeWise, sample the latest in computer software in CompuLab, and much more.The Colorado History Museum 1300 Broadway (just off Civic Center) (303) 866-3670 The Colorado History Museum offers a series of dioramas and exhibits that trace the colorful history of the Indians, explorers, gold miners, cowboys and pioneers that have called Colorado home. Exhibits include an outstanding collection of William Henry Jackson photos and a large diorama of Denver as it appeared in 1860. Call for information on special exhibits.Colorado's Ocean Journey 700 Water St (303) 561-4450 Colorado's Ocean Journey is a world-class aquarium that takes visitors on two journeys following two rivers that both start 12,000 feet above sea level. On one side, visitors follow the Colorado River through red rock canyons and flash floods on its way to the Sea of Cortez. On the other side, visitors twist through tropical rain forests following the Kampar River through the mountains of Sumatra on their way to a coral reef filled with sharks and colorful fishColorado State Capitol 1475 Sherman St (303) 866-2604 The Colorado State Capitol stands a mile above sea level with a plaque on the 15th step to mark the spot that is 5,280 feet (1,609 m) high. The dome is covered with 200 ounces of pure gold and there is a beautiful view from the rotunda of the entire Front Range, from Pikes Peak, all the way north to the Wyoming border, a distance of over 150 miles. Denver Art Museum 100 W 14th Ave (303) 640-2793 Denver Art Museum has what is considered to be the finest collection of American Indian art works in the world covering all tribes, as well as 30,000 other art objects in seven curatorial departments. The museum celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1993 with newly remodeled Asian, Pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial galleries and renovated African and Oceanic galleries. It is the largest art museum between Kansas City and the West Coast.Denver Botanical Gardens 105 York Street (303) 331-4000 The Denver Botanic Gardens has a large conservatory, an alpine garden with rare tiny flowers, a Japanese tea garden, as well as a water garden with hundreds of water lilies that bloom in late summer. It is just one of 506 public gardens in Denver where over 240,000 flowers are planted each year.Denver Museum of Natural History 2001 Colorado Blvd (303) 370-6310 The Denver Museum of Natural History is the fourth largest museum of its kind in the nation, with over 80 dioramas depicting animals from around the world. It also features an outstanding dinosaur collection, a Hall of Life devoted to studying the human body, a planetarium, an outstanding geological collection and an IMAX theater. The museum has recently opened Prehistoric Journey, a permanent exhibit that takes a fascinating look at the Earth's 3.5 billion-year history of life.Denver Zoo In City Park between York & Colorado Blvd on 23rd Ave (303) 331-4100 The Denver Zoo is consistently rated as one of the top 10 in America with 3,500 animals in lovely spreading grounds in City Park. "Tropical Discovery," is a 1.5-acre rainforest under glass in which visitors feel the sensation of walking through a jungle teeming with wildlife. Other highlights of the Zoo include "Northern Shores" where you can watch polar bears swim underwater and Primate Panorama, where visitors can get as close as 10 feet to over 29 species of monkeysSix Flags Elitch Gardens Theme Park I-25 at Speer Blvd (303) 455-4771 Six Flags Elitch Gardens Theme Park is a one hundred-year-old theme park known for its European atmosphere, elaborate floral gardens, and thrill rides. In 1995, Elitch Gardens moved to an expanded location in downtown Denver along the South Platte River with all new rides, gardens, lagoons, restaurants and amusements.Molly Brown House 1340 Pennsylvania St (303) 832-4092 The Molly Brown House honors "Unsinkable Molly Brown," the heroine of the Titanic disaster with mementos from her life preserved in her beautiful home on Capitol Hill. Molly was one of the most colorful characters to come from Denver's gold rush period. While sailing on the Titanic, she took command of a lifeboat and was credited with putting down a panic. Her life story was the inspiration for the hit musical and film, "Unsinkable Molly Brown."Red Rocks Amphitheatre 12 mi west of Denver in Morrison Colorado Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a 9,000-seat natural outdoor arena carved out of huge, 500-foot (152 m) high, red sandstone cliffs, all overlooking Denver and the plains. With its views and geologic wonders, it's one of the world's most famous concert sites and has played host to everyone from the Beatles to symphony orchestras. Seventy million years ago, the rocks were the beach of an ancient inland sea that covered eastern Colorado and Kansas. Today, it's a wonderful site for hikes, picnics and concerts.Tiny Town 6249 S Turkey Creek Rd (303) 790-9393 Tiny Town is a child-sized village with dozens of "Old West" buildings, all built at 1/6 scale in a scenic mountain location. An authentic toy steam locomotive circles the park giving children and adults a ride past the miniature town.U.S. Mint W Colfax Ave & Cherokee St (303) 844-3582 The U.S. Mint is where over five billion coins are made each year and there are free 20-minute tours on weekdays. It is also the second largest storehouse of gold bullion in the U.S. after Fort Knox. The gift shop has many unique coins not available anywhere else, and there is a small museum on the history of money.

Facts

Population: 554,636

Elevation: 5280 feet

County: Denver

Land area: 153.4 square miles

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time: When it is 12:00 noon in new York City, it is 10:00 AM in Denver. Daylight Saving Time is observed from April – October.

Average weather in Denver, Colorado

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average temp. (°F)

29.8

33.5

39.6

46.8

56.2

66.3

72.0

70.1

61.4

50.2

37.5

30.9

High temperature (°F)

44.7

48.4

54.4

61.0

70.7

81.9

87.7

85.6

77.6

66.4

52.3

45.6

Low temperature (°F)

14.9

18.5

24.7

32.6

41.7

50.6

56.3

54.5

45.1

34.0

22.8

16.1

Precipitation (in)

0.6

0.5

1.5

2.1

2.5

1.9

2.0

1.8

1.2

1.1

1.1

0.7

Area Code: Area codes are 303 and 720, and local calls require 10-digit dialing.

Business Hours: Banks are usually open weekdays from 9am to 5pm, occasionally a bit later on Friday, and sometimes on Saturday. There's 24-hour access to automated teller machines (ATMs) at most banks, plus in many shopping centers and other outlets.

Generally, business offices are open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and government offices are open from 8am until 4:30 or 5pm. Stores are open 6 days a week, with many also open on Sunday; department stores usually stay open until 9pm at least 1 day a week. Discount stores and supermarkets are often open later than other stores, and some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.

Newspapers/Magazines: The Denver Post is Colorado's largest daily newspaper. The Rocky Mountain News also covers the metropolitan area. Under a joint operating agreement, each publishes a separate weekday edition, only the News prints on Saturday, and only the Post appears on Sunday. A widely read free weekly, Westword, is known as much for its controversial jibes at local politicians and celebrities as it is for its entertainment listings. National newspapers such as USA Today and the Wall Street Journal can be purchased at newsstands and at major hotels.

Taxes: State and local sales tax in Denver is about 7% (it varies slightly in neighboring counties and suburbs). The hotel tax is about 7%, bringing the total tax on accommodations to nearly 14%.

Useful Telephone Numbers: For a weather report, time, and temperature, call tel. 303/337-2500. Statewide road condition reports are available by calling tel. 303/639-1111. For information on possible road construction delays in the Denver area and statewide, call tel. 303/573-ROAD (7623)

National Holidays:

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31

Plane: Denver International Airport (DIA)

Denver International Airport,

8500 Peña Boulevard,

Denver,

Colorado 80249,

is 23 miles northeast of downtown, usually a 35- to 45-minute drive. Covering 53 square miles (twice the size of Manhattan), DIA boasts one of the tallest flight-control towers in the world, at 327 feet. The airport, which has 94 gates and 6 full-service runways, can handle around 33 million passengers annually.

Denver International Airport (DIA) is 23 miles northeast of downtown, usually a 35- to 45-minute drive. Covering 53 square miles (twice the size of Manhattan), DIA boasts one of the tallest flight-control towers in the world, at 327 feet. The airport, which has 94 gates and 6 full-service runways, can handle around 33 million passengers annually.

The principal highway routes into Denver are I-25 from the north (Fort Collins and Wyoming) and south (Colorado Springs and New Mexico); I-70 from the east (Burlington and Kansas) and west (Grand Junction and Utah); and I-76 from the northeast (Nebraska). If you're driving into Denver from Boulder, take U.S. 36; from Salida and southwest, U.S. 285.

Greyhound, 19th and Arapahoe streets (tel. 800/231-2222), is the major bus service in Colorado, with about 60 daily arrivals and departures to communities in and out of the state.

Bus, taxi, and limousine services shuttle travelers between the airport and downtown, and most major car-rental companies have outlets at the airport. Because many major hotels are some distance from the airport, travelers should check on the availability and cost of hotel shuttle services when making reservations.

Public Transportation: The Regional Transportation District, or RTD (tel. 800/366-7433, 303/299-6000, or TDD 303/299-6089 for route and schedule information; 303/299-6700 for other business; calls itself "The Ride." It operates bus routes and a light-rail system, with free transfer tickets available. It provides good service within Denver and its suburbs and outlying communities (including Boulder, Longmont, and Evergreen), as well as free parking at 65 Park-n-Ride locations throughout the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. The light-rail service is designed to get buses and cars out of congested downtown Denver; many of the bus routes from outlying areas deliver passengers to light-rail stations rather than downtown.

Depending on the route, the departure time of the last bus or train varies from 9pm to 1am. Maps for all routes are available at any time at the RTD Civic Center Station, 16th Street and Broadway; and the Market Street Station, Market and 16th streets. RTD also provides special service to Colorado Rockies (baseball) and Denver Broncos (football) games. All RTD buses and trains are completely wheelchair accessible.

Free buses run up and down the 16th Street Mall between the Civic Center and Market Street every 90 seconds during peak hours (less frequently at other times), daily from 6am to 1am.

Visitors should take particular note of the new light-rail C Line, which began running in spring 2001. After diverting from the main north-south light-rail line at Colfax Avenue, it veers west and stops at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Pepsi Center, and Six Flags Elitch Gardens before chugging into Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop streets in lower downtown. The fare is the same as on any other local route, but the schedule is extended, with the last train leaving Union Station at 3am.

The open-air Platte Valley Trolley (tel. 303/458-6255; operates year-round. From late May through August between 11am and 4pm daily there's a half-hour "Denver Sightseeing Route" ride which operates from 15th Street at Confluence Park, south to Decatur Street along the west bank of the Platte River. "The Route 84 Excursion" leaves at noon Monday through Friday, and 2pm Saturday and Sunday . This 1-hour trip takes visitors west of Decatur Street, following a portion of a historic tram line that ran to Golden until 1950. Neither tour is narrated. During April, May, September, and October, the trolley runs, weather permitting, Tuesday through Sunday between 11am and 4pm; in winter, it operates only on weekends from 11am to 4pm, also weather permitting. Special charter trips can be arranged for off-hours; call for details.

Events

January

National Western Stock Show and Rodeo: The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (tel. 303/297-1166) is held the second and third weeks of January. The rodeo takes place at the Denver Coliseum, and other activities at the National Western Complex and the Event Center. With more than $500,000 available in prize money and 600,00 people in attendance, this is one of the world's richest and largest rodeos.

Martin Luther King Parade (March and Parade), starting at Civic Center Park. The largest MLK, Jr. march and rally in the United States regularly draws upward of 30,000 people. Participants gather at City Park and march to Civic Center Park, where a large rally takes place to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (303) 331-4113

Mid February: Opera Colorado Opening Season, at The Temple Buell Theater. The season continues into the Spring.(303) 893-4100

Late February: All About Kids Expo,, at the Colorado Convention Center. The annual kids expo features a fun-filled forum with games and music for children, and parents can check out child-friendly exhibitors, including health and childcare services, Rocky Mountain PBS and the Denver Zoo. (303) 282-5073

Late February: (28) Buffalo Bill's Birthday Celebration, at the Buckhorn.

The 100+-year old Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant (one of Buffalo Bill's favorite watering holes) celebrates his birthday every February 28, with an annual party, look-alike contest, western music, Old West gunfights and other events. (303) 534-9505

Buffalo Bill's Birthday Party, Feb. 28, at the Buffalo Bill Museum.

At Buffalo Bill's gravesite, high on top of Lookout Mountain, the Buffalo Bill Museum has a festival with music, entertainment and free admission to the museum. Up to a dozen Buffalo Bill look-alikes attend the event, and celebrate Bill's birthday with a huge cake.(303) 526-0744.

Chinese New Year, February .This colorful event celebrates the new year with traditional Chinese music, food, and martial arts demonstrations and dance. (303) 623-5163

March

Denver March Pow Wow, Mid-March. One of the nation's largest annual Native American gatherings, the Pow Wow features over 700 dancers and musicians from 70 tribes.Authentic arts and crafts, drumming competitions, dance contests and Native American food highlight this colorful event.(303) 934-8045.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Mid-March .A Rocky Mountain version of this famous Irish event features the city's biggest annual parade with thousands of horses, stagecoaches, marching bands, floats and fun, all with a "Western" flair.Numerous events in downtown follow the parade. (303) 321-7888.

April

Starz XicanIndie Film Festival, Early April, at the StarzFilm Center on the Auraria campus. The Denver Film Society hosts this three-day event, featuring a collection of films dealing with the Hispanic experience. (303) 595-3456

Ballpark Market, April -October in Ballpark Neighborhood on Larimer between 21st and 22nd.Denver's urban open-air flea market will be the place to find 100+ vendors selling antiques, furniture, art, clothing, fresh flowers and so much more! Rain or shine, find your treasures here every second Saturday from April to October.(303) 589-2800

Colorado Rockies Home Opener, Mid-April , .Join this Major League Baseball team for their home opener at Coors Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Coors Field is surrounded by LoDo, short for "Lower Downtown," the 26-square block historic district that is home to 80 sports bars, brew pubs and restaurants.

Earth Day at The Denver Botanic Gardens, Mid-April, at the Chatfield Nature Preserve at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The Gardens commemorate this day with free activities, including building birdhouses, picking up litter, planting flowers and enjoying arts and crafts. (720) 865-3500

Starz Denver PanAfrican Film Festival, Late April at the Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria campus. The Denver Film Society pays tribute to the African film experience. (303) 595-3456

May

Cinco de Mayo, Late April/early May.This is the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the United States, drawing over 400,000 people to Civic Center Park in downtown Denver where hundreds of booths sell Latino food, crafts and art.Several stages feature traditional to contemporary Latino entertainment, from Aztec dancers to strolling Mariachi bands. Mexican dancers in colorful costume, rock and popular groups from Mexico and the best authentic burritos in town are some of the highlights.Cinco de Mayo commemorates the historic Battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5th of 1862 fought between Mexican guerillas who successfully defended the town against an invasion by a powerful French army. Today, the holiday is a symbol of national pride and unity for Mexicans and people of Mexican descent everywhere. (303) 534-8342, ext. 106.

Colorado Artists Festival, May at the Denver Pavilions, at 16th Street and Glenarm Place. Performance art, educational demonstrations, representational and non-representational works are all a part of this four-day festival Memorial Day weekend.(303)-388-2137, (720) 933-6117

City Park Festival of the Arts, May .This free celebration of one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods includes amateur and professional artists displaying and selling artwork, as well as nine local bands performing throughout the day. Storytellers, poets and historians will also be on hand to provide entertainment for all ages and cultures. (303) 333-6063

Jazz on the Vine, May at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Purchase discounted tickets in advance for an evening of fine international wines, food and complementary tunes. (720) 865-3500

June

CHUN Capitol Hill People's Fair, early June. A Denver tradition for the beginning of summer with 250,000 people attending the city's most eclectic neighborhood festival. Multiple stages with continuous entertainment, 550 art and craft booths and a food bazaar offering everything from turkey legs to Indonesian specialties, all in beautiful Civic Center Park.(303) 830-1651.

Opera Pops: Central City Opera season opener, early June at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. The opera season opens with a selection of fast-paced, opera classics performed by a group of international artists. (303) 292-6700, (800) 851-8175

Annual Summer Art Market, Mid-June . The Art Students League of Denver hosts the Annual Summer Art Market. The artwork of ASLD faculty, students and members will be exhibited and offered for sale with a price to fit every budget. Voted “Best Arts Festival” by Westword, this event has grown to include over 130 artists.(303) 778-6990.

Ride the Rockies, Late June , location to be decided. The annual bicycle tour pedals through challenging mountain passes. (303) 820 1338

Fuller's Denver Polo Classic, Late June. The largest professional polo spectator event in the Rocky Mountain Region combines the thrill of competition with the beauty of horsemanship. Gourmet food, wine tasting, and live entertainment.(303) 832-8390

Cherry Blossom Festival, Late June .Celebrate Japanese culture through performances, exhibits, food and drink, and lively demonstrations. Taiko drums, martial arts, the tea ceremony, and teriyaki chicken are just some of the highlights, held at Sakura Square.(303) 295-1844

Central City Opera Summer Festival, Late June-August, at the Central City Opera. The opera season officially takes off. . (303) 292-6700, (800) 851-8175

PrideFest, Late June starting at Cheesman Park. A morning parade leads to a flamboyant festival in Civic Center Park filled with food, live music and information from and about the local gay and lesbian community. (303) 733-7743

Colorado Renaissance Festival, Every Saturday and Sunday, June-August . "Joust for you" kicks off the annual Renaissance Festival in a 350-acre evergreen forest south of Denver in Larkspur. Colorado's premier summertime event offers, fun, pageantry, over 200 artisans and food fit for a king all in a 16th century marketplace. Also, armored knights on horseback in the

Denver Blues and Bones Festival, June at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. Blues and barbecue come together for this annual outdoor festival. (303) 295-1195

Denver International Buskerfest, June on the 16th Street Mall. Jugglers, magicians, contortionists and other bizarre street performers converge on downtown Denver. (303) 295-1195

Juneteenth, Mid-June .Denver celebrates Juneteenth in the Five Points neighborhood, commemorating the end of slavery in Texas, with a parade, Gospel Extravaganza, entertainment and delicious and exotic food.(303) 832-3770

Mayor's Music Festival , June at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The mayor hosts his annual festival, headlined by jazz and R&B acts. (303) 640-2637

July

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, early July. Ranked as the No.1 fine arts and craft exhibition in the nation, this festival draws more than 250,000 people to Cherry Creek North, a tree-lined area of shops, galleries and cafés. All 200 of the participating artists are selected by a jury and represent every type of media from photography and watercolor, to jewelry and glass. Entertaining music and dance performances are held on several stages and food can be found at "Culinary Row," a series of 18 booths from Denver's top restaurants offering a variety of signature dishes. (303) 355-2787.

Colorado Gay Rodeo, Mid-July at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This traditional rodeo adds features such as a goat dressing and a Wild Drag Race. (303) 839-8810

AT&T LoDo Music Festival, July in LoDo. Six stages featuring national acts are joined by street performances, a drum circle, tons of food and merchandise galore. (303) 295-1195

Confluence Concerts, starting July . Free summer concert series on the Riverfront, where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River at Confluence Park in Lower Downtown, featuring the best in local entertainment – from jazz and blues to classical performances. Every Thursday in July. (303) 637-2645

Wildnights at the Denver Zoo, every Wednesday beginning July .Discover the mystery and magic of the Denver Zoo at twilight while exploring cultures from around the world. This multi-cultural event celebrates the influence of animals on worldwide music, stories, cuisine and beliefs. (303) 376-4846

Dragon Boat Festival, July 31 - August 1, .Colorful boats decorated as dragons highlight this annual event at Sloans Lake. In addition to all-day boat races, this pan-Asian sport and cultural event features live Asian entertainment and an Asian marketplace for food and gifts. (303) 722-6852

August

Denver Grand Prix, Mid-August. Start your engines : the Denver Grand Prix is coming to the Mile High City. For three days, the area around the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver will be turned into a rack track seating 60,000 people. The 1.68-mile track will see Indy cars racing through 14 turns at speeds between 165 and 175 miles per hour.(888) 827-7333

Colorado State Fair, Late August-Labor Day weekend, at the Pueblo Fairgrounds. Parades, concerts, contests, animals and art exhibitions return to the fairgrounds. (800) 876-4567, (719) 561-8484

Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival, Late August, at Chatfield State Park.A spectacular sight as hundreds of hot-air balloons in all shapes and sizes take-off together at sunrise.Other activities include a “balloon glow” on Saturday night and a “Benefits of Space” exhibit presented by NASA. (303) 697-1039

Festival of Mountain & Plain: A Taste of Colorado, Labor Day Weekend .Denver celebrates Labor Day Weekend with a feast and a festival in Civic Center Park for 400,000 people. Enjoy the free entertainment, great food from 50 of Colorado's best restaurants, artisans and carnival rides.(303) 295-6330.

Great American Beer Festival, Late September, at the Colorado Convention Center. The biggest gathering of beer aficionados boasts more than 1,500 different beers from 300 American breweries. (303) 447-0816

The Colorado Performing Arts Festival, September at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.Demonstrations of the state's rich and diverse performing arts are displayed including dance, theater, music, opera, story-telling and more, all at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the largest such center under one roof in the US with 9 theaters seating 10,000 people.(303) 640-6952.

Colorado Ballet season opens in September .The ballet releases its schedule each February. (303) 893-4100

El Grito de la Independencia Fiesta, September . This celebration of Mexican Independence from Spain includes live music on three different stages, authentic Mexican food, a variety of arts and crafts exhibitors, children's attractions and colorful cultural costumes. The event is held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the new City Light Pavilion located in the heart of lower downtown Denver.(303) 534-8342

October

The Starz Denver International Film Festival, Mid-October, at The Temple Buell Theater and the Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria Campus. Dozens of filmmakers introduce a slate of new movies. (303) 595-3456 or www.denverfilm.org

Boo at the Zoo, October at the Denver Zoo. The Denver Zoo transforms into a haunted park filled with mysterious creatures and fun for tiny trick-or-treaters. (303) 376-4800

November

Holiday Gift & Garden Market, November at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The 39th annual Gardens' holiday shopping event features horticultural and crafty gifts, as well as good and beverages. (720) 865-3500

Light Up Larimer! November on Larimer Square. Organizers flip the switch on the shopping district, kicking off the holiday season downtown. (303) 685-8143

Winterfest, Weekends, November -January .Larimer Square becomes a holiday extravaganza every weekend featuring carolers, a tuba concert, ice sculpting, and other activities. The festivities are kicked off with a lighting ceremony on the first day. Victorian buildings are decked out in evergreens and ribbons. (303) 534-2367.

December

Blossoms of Light, December at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Each December night showcases an illuminated 12 acres of the gardens, featuring carolers, dancers and other festive sights. (720) 865-3500

Georgetown Christmas Market, December . The magic of an old-fashioned Christmas is recaptured in Victorian Georgetown.In the tradition of the Swedish Julmarknad and the German Christmarket, there will be crafts, homemade foods, and delicious European foods.(303) 569-2840

Xcel Energy Parade of Lights, December starting at the Denver City and County building. Two dazzling evenings of floats, costumes, the state's top marching bands and magnificent lights. (303) 534-6161

Annual Tuba Christmas, December on Larimer Square. What started out as a small gathering of tuba players has emerged as a holiday tradition with more than 300 musicians performing a concert with Christmas favorites. (303) 685-8143

Kids

Black American West Museum 3091 California Ave (303) 292-2566 The Black American West Museum tells the forgotten story of African American cowboys, who made up as many as one third of all the cowboys on the great cattle drives. Housed in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Denver's first African American doctor, the museum has exhibits, historic photos and artifacts that tell the story of the many contributions made by African Americans in settling the West.Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center 6252 W 104th Ave (303) 469-5441 Featuring a lush tropical forest filled with up to 1,600 free-flying butterflies, this is an adventure you won't want to miss. There is also an insect center, gift shop, outdoor gardens and many fun, educational exhibits.The Children's Museum of Denver 2001 Colorado Blvd (303) 433-7444 The Children's Museum of Denver is a unique participatory museum for children and families. This museum features interactive exhibits and activities. Children can learn to ski on KidSlope, shoot baskets, compare measurements in SizeWise, sample the latest in computer software in CompuLab, and much more.Colorado's Ocean Journey 700 Water St (303) 561-4450 Colorado's Ocean Journey is a world-class aquarium that takes visitors on two journeys following two rivers that both start 12,000 feet above sea level. On one side, visitors follow the Colorado River through red rock canyons and flash floods on its way to the Sea of Cortez. On the other side, visitors twist through tropical rain forests following the Kampar River through the mountains of Sumatra on their way to a coral reef filled with sharks and colorful fishDenver Art Museum 100 W 14th Ave (303) 640-2793 Denver Art Museum has what is considered to be the finest collection of American Indian art works in the world covering all tribes, as well as 30,000 other art objects in seven curatorial departments. The museum celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1993 with newly remodeled Asian, Pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial galleries and renovated African and Oceanic galleries. It is the largest art museum between Kansas City and the West Coast.

Denver Museum of Natural History 2001 Colorado Blvd (303) 370-6310 The Denver Museum of Natural History is the fourth largest museum of its kind in the nation, with over 80 dioramas depicting animals from around the world. It also features an outstanding dinosaur collection, a Hall of Life devoted to studying the human body, a planetarium, an outstanding geological collection and an IMAX theater. The museum has recently opened Prehistoric Journey, a permanent exhibit that takes a fascinating look at the Earth's 3.5 billion-year history of life.

Denver Zoo On 23rd Ave between York & Colorado Blvd in City Park (303) 331-4100 The Denver Zoo is consistently rated as one of the top 10 in America with 3,500 animals in lovely spreading grounds in City Park. "Tropical Discovery," is a 1.5-acre rainforest under glass in which visitors feel the sensation of walking through a jungle teeming with wildlife. Other highlights of the Zoo include "Northern Shores" where you can watch polar bears swim underwater and Primate Panorama, where visitors can get as close as 10 feet to over 29 species of monkeys.Six Flags Elitch Gardens Theme Park I-25 at Speer Blvd (303) 455-4771 Six Flags Elitch Gardens Theme Park is a one hundred-year-old theme park known for its European atmosphere, elaborate floral gardens, and thrill rides. In 1995, Elitch Gardens moved to an expanded location in downtown Denver along the South Platte River with all new rides, gardens, lagoons, restaurants and amusements.

Tiny Town 6249 S Turkey Creek Rd (303) 790-9393 Tiny Town is a kid-sized village with dozens of "Old West" buildings, all built at 1/6 scale in a scenic mountain location. An authentic toy steam locomotive circles the park giving children and adults a ride past the miniature town.U.S. Mint West Colfax Ave & Cherokee St (303) 844-3582 The U.S. Mint is where over five billion coins are made each year and there are free 20-minute tours on weekdays. It is also the second largest storehouse of gold bullion in the U.S. after Fort Knox. The gift shop has many unique coins not available anywhere else, and there is a small museum on the history of money.

The Renaissance Denver Hotel, the closest hotel to Denver Airport with a free airport shuttle, is conveniently located off I-70, midway between Denver International Airport /DIA/ and Downtown Denver....View Rates